World's first maritime channel to be launched on May 1

Kochi, Feb 3 (UNI) Dubai-based Aries Marine, the largest ship design and consultancy firm in the Middle East, would launch the world's first maritime television channel on May one.

Speaking to reporters here last evening, Marine Biz TV, CEO Suresh Manimala said the purpose of the venture was to establish a world-wide single pint of contact for all marine activities and information.

He said in the first phase the channel in Engilsh would be beamed into Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

The second phase, to be launched on August one, would cover North America and South America.

The channel with an investment of Rs 250 crore would be supported by 28 bureaux across the globe, Mr Manimala added.

CEO of the Aries Group Sohan Roy said the target audience for the channel would be the one million decision makers in the marine industry which includes shipping, naval defence, offshore industry, oil&gas, transport, ports, marine tourism, ship building, fishing, aquaculture, marine surveys and research and development.

The 24-hour channel would air both technical and marine-related entertainment programmes, he added.

An online arm of the channel, WEB TV, would be launched on March one, featuring discussion forums, news letters, online shopping, events and exhibitions, maritime directories and current news, Mr Roy added.

UNI